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In a statement, Bath Rugby said tonight: "We continue to support the objective of resolving the club and international calendar for the benefit of players, clubs and unions, which would prevent this being an issue in the future."

Taulupe Faletau in action for the Lions against New Zealand in the third Test at Eden Park (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images)

Premiership Rugby has a policy to prevent clubs from releasing non-England players for Tests outside the official windows throughout the year.

It was waived last year, when Wales v Australia clashed with the Anglo-Welsh Cup at the beginning of November, not the league. Faletau didn't play as he was recovering from a knee injury.

“The policy of the Premiership Rugby clubs on releasing non-England players under World Rugby’s Regulation nine, i.e. only inside the Test windows, is still in place,” said a Premiership Rugby spokesman.

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Four years ago, Northampton Saints were fined £60,000 for releasing winger George North to play for Wales but that fine is understood to have been a punishment covering all three years of that contract.

Francois Louw is in a different boat, as is Rhys Priestland, and both will be available for Bath against Premiership champions and leaders Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday.

Scott Andrews, who is on loan at Bath from Cardiff Blues, is also available to Wales.

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He told the Guardian and assembled media in Cardiff: “I just follow regulation nine (availability of international players) and, from our point of view, Francois Louw is definitely not available for us.

"I cannot comment on the internal arrangement in the north but, if there is any agreement, I do not know about it."